Frances LAWSON

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LAWSON: Frances Josephine passed away at Fairview Home, Brandon on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Frances was born in Brandon, the daughter of Joseph and Esther Boyle, and raised in Brandon’s East End. She attended King George School, Earl Haig and Brandon Collegiate. After high school she took secretarial training and started working for Manco Dairies. It was there that she met the love of her life Adam Lawson who wooed her with ice cream treats at coffee breaks. Frances and Adam were married in 1943. In late 1943, shortly after the birth of their daughter, Jo-Ann, Adam was sent overseas to fight in the Second World War. When Adam returned from the war they settled in a home on Seventh Street where they lived and raised their family for over 40 years. Finally Frances achieved a life-long dream when she and Adam purchased a brand new home on Prelude Bay. She and Adam lived happily there until Adam’s death in 2003. She then moved to River Heights Terrace and finally for the last few years of her life at Fairview Home. Over the years Frances worked in the office of the YWCA, and Jo-Ann Shop women’s clothing store. Growing up, music was always a very important part of her life. As a teenager she sang with her Dad in the church choir and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. When moving to Seventh Street she joined First United Church and sang in the choir there until the church closed. Withoutmissing a beat she joined the choir at Central United Church and was active there for many years. Even when she was well into her 80’s she was known to accompany the minister of the church to services held in personal care homes to play the hymns on the piano. Frances loved to cook and bake. She was never afraid of trying new recipes and with her touch, they always turned out great. She might be best known for her butter tarts. Alongside Adam, she loved to garden and preserve the fruits of their labour. Frances will be sadly missed by her daughter and son-in- law Jo-Ann and Bill Wilkins; her grandchildren Krista and Todd Buchanan, and Ken Wilkins and his fiancée Pauline Solayo; her two great-granddaughters Samantha and Kylea Buchanan. She is also survived by her sister Sadie (Hugh) McAmmond and brother-in-law William McAuley as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Adam, her brother Charles Boyle and her sister Kathleen McAuley. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Susan MacKay, Mom’s very special friend who was always there for her and us if anything was needed. We would also like to thank the family and friends who stopped in to visit her, and to the wonderful staff on the 2nd Floor at Fairview Home who showed great caring and compassion for Mom. The Ceremony to CelebrateFrances’ life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010 at Central United Church, 327-8th Street. Rev. Laird Russell- Yearwood will officiate. Interment will follow at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Donations in memory of Frances may be made to Central United Church, 327 – 8th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 3X5 or to a charity of one’s choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are withMemories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 25, 2010